HC Deb 01 July 1981 vol 7 c850
2. Mr. Knox

asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he is satisfied with the progress of the preparatory work for the Blythe Bridge to Uttoxeter section of he A564 Stoke to Derby link.

The Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Mr. Kenneth Clarke)

Yes, Sir. A public inquiry into the proposals for the compulsory acquisition of land opens next week.

Mr. Knox

Is my hon. and learned Friend aware that my constituents in Draycott, Tean and Checkley will be pleased to hear that the work is on schedule? Is he aware that they would be even more pleased to hear that it was ahead of schedule? Can he give me any idea when the construction work on that section of the road will start?

Mr. Clarke

I do not want to tempt fate, but we have made better progress on that road scheme than on almost any other programme in the past two years. I am aware that my hon. Friend and his constituents would like the progress to be fast. At the moment we are aiming for a starting date early in 1983.